Zions Bancorporation Subsidiary Amegy Bank N.A. Is Named Ex-Im Bank Small Business Lender Of The Year

SALT LAKE CITY, April 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Zions Bancorporation subsidiary Amegy Bank, N.A. was recently named Small Business Lender of the Year by the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank). Amegy Bank has been a long-time lending partner of the Ex-Im Bank's Working Capital Program by promoting Ex-Im guaranteed loan facilities to qualified small businesses.

"We are honored that Amegy Bank has been recognized by the Ex-Im Bank as its small business lender of the year," said Zions Bancorporation Chairman and CEO Harris Simmons. "This award is a testament to our organization's commitment to lending to small businesses and a tribute to Amegy's International Division. Nearly 70 percent of Amegy's completed loans during the past three years have supported small business export sales. I am optimistic that the combination of our seasoned partnership with the Ex-Im Bank and our overall focus on small business customers will continue to drive strong growth."

"Amegy Bank has enjoyed a strong relationship with Ex-Im Bank and participating in its Working Capital Program for more than 20 years," said T.J. Raguso, Executive Vice President of the International Division at Amegy Bank. "We are an active middle market lender in the largest exporting state and frequently utilize the Working Capital Program to provide our customers with the export financing they need to compete globally and grow revenue."

Amegy Bank is now the largest participant in the program in Texas and the eighth largest lender in the United States in terms of total authorizations. In 2013, Amegy Bank received Fast Track Lender Status, which is a select distinction given to only 10 banks in the United States that have demonstrated skills in asset-based lending. Over the past three fiscal years, Amegy Bank completed nearly 70 working capital guarantees totaling more than $280 million. Last year, Amegy Bank reached an important milestone in its participation in the program by achieving more than $100 million in authorizations, of which more than 75 percent were small business transactions.

About Zions Bancorporation

Zions Bancorporation is one of the nation's premier financial services companies, consisting of a collection of great banks in select western U.S. markets with combined total assets exceeding $55 billion. Zions operates its banking businesses under local management teams and community identities in 10 western and southwestern states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington. The company is a national leader in Small Business Administration lending and public finance advisory services and is a consistent recipient of numerous Greenwich Excellence awards in banking. In addition, Zions is included in the S&P 500 and NASDAQ Financial 100 indices. Investor information and links to subsidiary banks can be accessed at www.zionsbancorporation.com.

About Amegy Bank

Amegy Bank is a leading Texas bank with nearly $14 billion in assets and about 2,000 employees. With more than 80 locations across Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio, Amegy is dedicated to serving Texas communities, families and businesses. Founded in 1990, Amegy has a strong tradition of relationship banking, local decision making and financial expertise. Amegy specializes in banking businesses of all sizes, and has the resources to provide financing, investment management, treasury management solutions, international banking, as well as other specialized services. Equally important, the Bank offers individuals and families a wide range of depository, lending, mortgage, wealth management, trust and brokerage services. Amegy is a part of the Zions Bancorporation (NASDAQ: ZION) collection of great banks. To learn more about Amegy, visit www.amegybank.com or call 800-287-0301 for more information.